NHL playoffs

The Bruins played Pittsburgh three times this season and lost all three by one goal. Now they await the top-seeded Penguins in the Eastern Conference finals, and the Bruins are trying to figure out what went wrong in those games.

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick sometimes seems to be the only obstacle between San Jose and the Western Conference finals while the Sharks dominate much of their 2-2 series with the defending Stanley Cup champions.

It was one of the more unusual goals you’ll see during these NHL Playoffs, but it’s the goal that has the Boston Bruins up 3-0 on the New York Rangers and just one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals.

According to Wild left winger Zach Parise, his team has blown a lot chances at the net as of late. “Each game we’ve had some good ones that we just didn’t finish, and we’ve got to put those in,” Parise said.

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s going on around you when you’re trying to get to the playoffs, but it’s a simple formula for the Minnesota Wild. Beat the Edmonton Oilers Friday night, and the Wild is a playoff team.

The Los Angeles Kings’ 45-year Stanley Cup quest ended in a triumphant flourish of blood, sweat and power-play goals. After missing two chances to claim the title last week, the long-suffering Kings are NHL champions for the first time.

Adam Henrique scored the tiebreaking goal with 4:29 to play, Martin Brodeur made 21 saves, and the New Jersey Devils beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Wednesday night to avoid a sweep in the Stanley Cup finals.

Most of the talk about the Devils and their run to the Stanley Cup finals has focused on Martin Brodeur, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise and Peter DeBoer. The guy who tends to get lost in all the talk is Travis Zajac.